Day Three

Another long day, but it was a blessing. I heard one of my favorite preachers (Cam Huxford). He did a great job. So did Chris Seidman. I attended a couple of good workshops about preaching. The closing program tonight featured Bob Russell. He's still got it.

Day Two

Today was a long day with lots of sessions. I heard Reggie Epps talk about breaking growth barriers. It was very good. Then I heard Aaron Brockett preach at a main session. In the afternoon I went to a couple of workshops dealing with elder-staff relationships. It was led by some elders of the Oronogo Christian Church. Excellent. Then tonight Rick Rusaw preached.

Looking forward to hearing Cam Huxford and Chris Seidman tomorow.

Day One

It was a great start to the Preaching-Teaching Convention. We were challenged, encouraged, stretched, and enlightened.

Dr. Chuck Sackett preached about Jeremiah's call. It was a tremendous message. It reminded me of how blessed I am to be a preacher of the gospel. I still feel a strong calling from the Lord. There is nothing I would rather be doing.

It was my first time to hear Kyle Idleman preach. Wow. That guy is good. Very young and very gifted.

Preaching-Teaching Convention

I'm leaving today for Joplin, MO. I will be attending the Preaching-Teaching Convention at Ozark Christian College. It should be a lot of fun. My good friend John Mitchell (who preaches near Kansas City) will meet me there. I'll blog some reports if I'm able.

P.S. The elders retreat was AWESOME. I am blessed to serve with godly men who love the Lord and His church.

Elders Retreat

Tonight I'll join the elders of our church in an overnight retreat at a local camp. I'm looking forward to hanging out with these brothers; praying and planning and learning and growing in our faith and leadership. God has blessed me with some great guys to serve with.

Wienermobile Wipes Out

Let's be frank: motor vehicle accidents aren't much fun for anyone. But when a 27-foot-long tube-steak spins out on a snow-covered highway, it's bound to generate some grins. That's what happened Sunday to an Oscar Mayer Wienermobile (at least it didn't roll over). The two 22-year-olds in the vehicle knew they were in hot water when they hit an icy patch, but they weren’t hotdogging. It was not an experience they would relish, but they are none the wurst for wear.

Full story here.

Choppin' Broccoli

I wonder how old I will be before I stop referencing stuff from the 80's? Last night I starting singing "Choppin' Broccoli." Tracy laughed but the kids looked at me like I was crazy. So we had to go online and find this classic.

He's Back!

What NOT to Get Her for Valentine's Day

What NOT to give her for Valentines Day:

1. A box of chocolates, clumsily rearranged in an attempt to hide the fact you ate all the caramel ones.

2. Anything that even remotely implies that she is not physically perfect: gym memberships, Botox, diet plan subscriptions, self help books and the like.

3. Any video starring Sylvester Stallone, Jim Carrey, or Angelina Jolie.

4. Any clothing item with the words "push-up" or "slim-down" on the label.

5. Appliances. Every man has made this mistake. Just because she says, "I need a new vacuum" does not mean you should buy her a vacuum.

6. Homemade coupons. Whether they're for dish duty, garbage duty, dinner, or something else, she's not likely to be impressed. Did your high school girlfriend even use hers?

7. Any food item with the words "diet", "light", or "high fiber" on the label.

8. Any gift you once bought for an ex-girlfriend. She will find out--and punish you.

9. Anything you could have bought at the gas station mini-mart on the way home, even if you didn't.

10. An apologetic look and the words "That was today?"

Senator McCain Wants My Vote

I received three phone calls today. Each was a recording of Senator McCain urging me to vote for him in the Virginia primary. Here's the thing -- I haven't lived in Virginia since August 2003. You'd think my INDIANA phone number might give his campaign a clue.

Christianese Translated

I got the following from Mark Waltz's blog (he got it from someone else who borrowed it from another -- it's funny regardless of origin):

The following is a list of phrases in the impenetrable language of "Christianese." For those unfamiliar with this strange dialect, below you'll find a helpful Christianese-English Dictionary so that you can find out what your Christian friend is really saying to you.
1. I'll pray about it = NO!
2. We need to pray for so and so = Guess what I just heard?!
3. I'm waiting for God to open some doors = I'm living in my parent's basement.
4. God gave me a word for you = I have advice to help you with your disaster of a life.
5. I'm going to have my quiet time = Leave me the heck alone!
6. God is good = My life sucks.
7. Bless his/her heart = What an idiot.
8. I have the gift of discernment = I can judge people without even talking to them.
9. I was having fellowship with them = We had beer and pizza and watched the game instead of going to church.
10. I'm saved by grace, not works = I can do whatever the heck I want.
11. She caused me to stumble = What a skank.
12. I kissed dating goodbye = I couldn't get a blind date, literally.
13. Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouth = I can't believe you said the real curse word!
14. I don't mean to judge but... = I'm going to judge.
15. I'm dating Jesus right now = Are you kidding? I'm way out of your league.
16. God wants me to take some time off from this relationship = I met someone else and I'm too coward to break up with you.
17. I'll pray about marrying you = NO!
18. God told me that we are supposed to get married = Maybe you'll say yes if God is behind this.
19. I'm fasting = Your spiritual life is miniscule compared to mine. Try to keep up.
20. God has called me to minister to her = She's really hot.
21. I think you should pray about it = You'll see that I'm right.
22. We've decided to court, not date = My parents have a death grip on my life.
23. Courting = Homeschool dating.
24. Lord willing = My plans are His plans.
25. Take this with a grain of salt = I'm about to really offend you.
26. I'm feeling convicted about this = One day my actions might change too!
27. Have I offended you? = Why are you treating my like garbage?
28. Who wants to pray? = I don't want to pray right now.
29. Jesus turned water into wine = Jesus turned water into grape juice. (Southern Baptist Dialect)
30. Jesus turned water into wine = I can drink whatever I want. (Presbyterian Dialect)

Gettin' the Led Out

I love amazon.com. Yesterday they delivered to my house the latest Led Zeppelin CD/DVD, Mothership. It has all the hits and then some.

Rob Bell Parody

If you've seen any of Rob Bell's "Nooma" videos, you might enjoy this spoof.

Nick at Night

I'm preaching this week from John chapter 3 where Jesus has an encounter with Nicodemus. The famous "You must be born again" text (although some dispute whether the "water" in v. 5 is baptism, I believe that a strong case can be made that it is). It's a shame that verses often get ripped from their context. There is some great teaching in John 3:1-21. The most famous verse in all of Scripture is here (John 3:16) -- yet that verse isn't on an island by itself, it's a part of a larger conversation.

I love Jesus' allusion to the snake-bitten Israelites (Numbers 21 , where God sent venomous snakes to bite those complainers. But he relented and told Moses to make a bronze snake for them to look upon and be saved). Jesus indicates that just as Moses lifted up the snake, He must be lifted up (on a pole/tree) and people must look to him for salvation.

If in verse 5 Jesus is referring to baptism (which would become part of the kingdom entrance requirements), then baptism is our bronze snake (provided by God's grace).

Do you know what happened to that bronze snake? Israel began to worship it! (2 Kings 18:4). They began to make an idol out of the means/instrument/mode/tool of salvation rather than GOD who made salvation possible. I wonder if we sometimes slip into the same thing with our bronze snake (baptism). Was looking at the snake necessary? Sure, if they wanted to be saved. Is baptism (new birth) necessary? Of course. But let's remember that it is God who gets the glory/credit for our salvation, not us.

Thank You Giants!

Star of Bethlehem

I know the season has passed, but we're just getting around to watching a DVD that a friend loaned to us. The Star of Bethlehem was awesome!